Chondro

Chondro is a combining form derived from the Greek chondros, meaning cartilage. In medical terminology, chondro- is used as a prefix to indicate relation to cartilage or to structures composed of cartilage. It appears in terms such as chondrocyte, chondroma, chondromalacia, chondrogenesis, and chondromatosis.

Cartilage is a semi-rigid connective tissue that provides structural support, cushions joints, and forms certain respiratory and visual structures. There are three main types: hyaline cartilage, elastic cartilage, and fibrocartilage. Hyaline cartilage covers joint surfaces and is found in the nose, trachea, and larynx; elastic cartilage contains elastic fibers and is present in the ear; fibrocartilage is durable and makes up intervertebral discs and the knee menisci. The extracellular matrix, produced by chondrocytes, is rich in collagen type II and proteoglycans, and most cartilage is avascular, receiving nutrients by diffusion from surrounding tissues.

Chondrocytes are the resident cells of cartilage. They reside in lacunae within the ECM and maintain the tissue by regulating matrix production and turnover. Cartilage develops through chondrogenesis, with chondroblasts differentiating into chondrocytes; most cartilage forms by endochondral ossification during bone development. The surrounding perichondrium supplies mesenchymal cells and contributes to growth in thickness.

Clinical relevance includes cartilage degeneration in osteoarthritis, malignant transformation in chondrosarcoma, and various repair strategies such as microfracture, cartilage grafts, and autologous chondrocyte implantation aimed at restoring joint function.